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lidar

or LI·DAR

[ lahy-dahr ]
/ ˈlaɪ dɑr /

noun Electronics, Optics.

a device similar to radar in principle and operation but using infrared laser light instead of radio waves and capable of detecting particles, distant objects, and varying physical conditions in the atmosphere.

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Also called laser radar .

Origin of lidar

1960–65; li(ght1) + (ra)dar

Words nearby lidar

lick the stuffing out of, licorice, licorice stick, lictor, lid, lidar, Liddel Hart, Liddell Hart, Lidex, lidia, Lidice
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for lidar

Scientific definitions for lidar

lidar
[ lī′där ]

A method of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysis of pulsed laser light reflected from their surfaces. Lidar operates on the same principles as radar and sonar.
The equipment used in such detection. See also Doppler effect radar sonar.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.